Today (6/21), the Life Link III celebrates its new helicopter base at Marshfield Medical Center with a grand opening event from 4-8 p.m. A brief ribbon cutting and ceremony will be held at the aircraft hangar at 4:30 p.m. Families are welcome to tour the helicopter and hangar and enjoy light bites and refreshments.
The Life Link III helicopter is a welcome addition to the area since Spirit left in July 2017 for Stevens Point.
“We are very excited to have Life Link III here in Marshfield. Having the helicopter here again is a huge benefit to Central Wisconsin, specifically Marshfield and the surrounding areas,” said Chief Scott Owen, Fire & Rescue Department. “We look forward to working closely with them for many years to come.”
The new base will have a 24-hour operation. Helicopters serve as a flying intensive care units (ICUs) that provide critical prehospital care after accidents, and from local hospitals to those with specific expertise or higher level of care, according to a press release.
Advanced clinical capabilities that Life Link III can provide to the region include point-of-care laboratory testing, point-of-care ultrasound, and LUCAS mechanical CPR.
“Life Link III’s industry-leading on-board medical capabilities and innovative technology set us apart from other air medical transport services,” said Kolby Kolbet, Vice President of Clinical Services. “Our clinical staff undergo extensive, continual in-service education to ensure the most advanced critical care and technology are provided to patients requiring specialized care. We look forward to providing the highest level of patient care to Marshfield Clinic Health System and its surrounding regions.”
Life Link III will continue to work with other air medical transport services to dispatch the best helicopter fo the situation. Marshfield Clinic Health System is tenth member of the Life Link III consortium and is the location of the eighth helicopter base.
